NRA Southern 8 EAST SUSSEX ROTHER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN ACTION PLAN
NRA National Rivers Authority Southern Region MISSION STATEMENT
The NRA’s mission is :
"We will protect and improve the water environment by the effective management of water resources and by substantial reductions in pollution. We will aim to provide effective defence for people and property against flooding from rivers and the sea. In discharging our duties we will operate openly and balance the interests of all who benefit from and use rivers, groundwaters, estuaries, and coastal waters. We will be businesslike, efficient and caring towards our employees".
Our Aims are to :
Achieve a continuing overall improvement in the quality of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters, through the control of pollution. Manage water resources to achieve the right balance between the needs of the environment and those of the abstractors. Provide effective defence for people and property against flooding from rivers and the sea. Provide adequate arrangements for flood forecasting and warning. Maintain, improve and develop fisheries. Develop the amenity and recreation potential of inland and coastal waters and associated lands. Conserve and enhance wildlife, landscape and archaeological features associated with inland and coastal waters of England and Wales. Improve and maintain inland waters and their facilities for use by the public where the NRA is the navigation authority. Ensure that dischargers pay the costs of the consequences of their discharges, and, as far as possible, to recover the costs of environment improvements from those who benefit. Improve public understanding of the water environment and the NRA's work. Improve efficiency in the exercise of the NRA's functions and to provide challenge and opportunity for employees and show concern for their welfare.
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This document is intended to be used widely and may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that extracts are not quoted out of context and due acknowledgement is given to the National Rivers Authority.
© Crown Copyright
The plans in this document are based on the Ordnance Survey and are reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Published August 1995 River Rot her Catchment Management Plan
River Rotber Catchment Management Plan Action Plan
CONTENTS
Page No
A. THE NRA VISION FOR THE CATCHMENT 3
B. THE CATCHMENT PLANNING PROCESS 4
C. OVERVIEW OF THE CATCHMENT 5
D. INTERACTION WITH DEVELOPMENT PLANS 6
E. CATCHMENT STATISTICS 7
F. CATCHMENT ISSUES 13 G. MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS National Information Centre 15 The Environment Agency Rio House H. ACTION PROGRAMME W aterside Drive 20 Aztec West BRISTOL BS12 4UD
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Rzver Rotber Catchment Management Plan
A. THE NRA VISION FOR THE EAST ______
By the standards of south-east England the catchment is sparsely populated with an average of only 175 persons per sq. kilometre (454 per sq. mile). The main centres of population are the small towns of Battle, Hythe, Tenterden and Rye, but Hastings and Folkestone, just beyond the boundary of the catchment, make demands on its water resources.
With the catchment being predominantly rural and much of it prone to flooding before river drainage was improved in the 1970s, the area has great landscape and conservation interest. The uplands in the western half of the catchment are recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are extensive Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on Romney Marsh and around Rye. Although not formally designated as such the Brede, Tillingham and Pannel Sewer valleys also merit consideration as designated conservation areas on account of their high wildlife value. The NRA is pledged to protect and sustain the natural environment and will support sensitive measures for its management.
The Authority will enforce its groundwater protection policy to prevent aquifer pollution and will be vigilant in the maintenance of river water quality. Close liaison will be maintained with Local Authorities to ensure that unsuitable development does not increase flood risks or cause unacceptable damage to the water environment. Flood defence and land drainage works will be carried out in accordance with MAFF conservation guidelines.
The NRA will continue its careful stewardship of water resources. The catchment’s groundwater reserves are sparse and the availability of surface water is limited at times of low rainfall; additional storage would release new resources, but could be developed only after consideration of the environmental impact.
The Authority will work with riparian owners and angling organisations to maintain, improve and develop fisheries. Coarse fisheries will be managed scientifically and fish movements will be carefully controlled to prevent the introduction of parasites, diseases or exotic species. The use of native brown trout will be encouraged for stocking river trout fisheries. Where necessary, fish passes will be built to maximise access to the river system by sea trout.
NRA Kent Area Manager
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B. THE CATCHMENT PLANNING PROCESS
Plan Production
The Water Act 1989 established the National Rivers Authority (NRA) as the "Guardian of the Water Environment", a non-departmental government organisation with responsibility for regulating and managing water resources, water quality in coastal and inland waters, flood defence, salmon and freshwater fisheries, water recreation and, in some areas, navigation. An additional duty laid on the NRA was to further conservation of the natural environment, seeking opportunities for enhancement wherever possible.
NRA Regions are defined by river basins catchments - singly, as in the Thames Region, or as geographical groups of rivers. W ith the exception of sea defence and coastal water pollution control all the NRA's functions are managed w ithin this catchment framework, so the need to resolve conflicts arising from differing functional objectives makes it essential to integrate the NRA’s planning in the same way.
Catchment Management Plans relate firstly to the Authority's own operations, including its role as a statutory regulator controlling the actions of others. However, the Plans also offer an opportunity for input from the public to the development of NRA policy and for the Authority itself to draw attention to its aspirations for improving the water environment.
The Plans concentrate on topics where the Authority has a direct interest and are focused mainly on the river corridor, although some functions such as water resource management and pollution control inevitably extend over the whole catchment area. Whilst they lack the status of statutory planning documents, it is hoped that Catchment Plans will make a positive input to the Town and Country planning process.
Public Consultation
The East Sussex Rother Catchment Consultation Report, which was launched in May 1994, was circulated widely to those with an identified interest in the catchment and was the subject of a public meeting in Rye on 23rd June. The Authority is grateful to the twenty organisations and individuals who responded (see Table 1, page 19), their views have contributed to this Action Plan. Plan Review
The NRA will be responsible for implementing this Catchment Management Plan in partnership with the organisations identified in the Action Programme. Progress will be monitored and reviewed annually to ensure that the Plan meets current needs and there will normally be major revisions at five yearly intervals.
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Li River Rother Catchment Management Plan
____ C OVERVIEWOFTHEEASTSUSSEXROTHER CATCHMENT______- ______—
The River Rother rises near Rotherfield in Hast Sussex, flowing eastwards through the High Weald and onto Romney Marsh. About halfway along its course the character of the river changes from an upland stream to an embanked channel running through marshland, much of which is below high tide level. Scots Float Sluice at Playden is the tidal limit and includes a lock for the passage of small craft. The lower reaches of the freshwater river are embanked to provide storage for freshwater flood flows when Scots Float sluice is tidelocked. Downstream of the sluice, the rivers Tillingham and Brede join the Rother estuary at Rye to form a drying tidal harbour extending some four kilometres to the sea.
The area is predominantly rural with mixed, arable and sheep farming, and high-value crops are grown on the rich lands of Romney Marsh. Light industry is found mainly alongside the Rother Estuary between Rye and Rye Harbour. Rivers and reservoirs are the main sources of water for public supply, although the aquifers of the Ashdown Sands provide local supplies and the gravels of Dungeness are an important resource for Folkestone.
The Rivers Rother, Brede and Tillingham support runs of sea trout and there are populations of wild brown trout in the tributaries, whilst the larger rivers and marsh drains are noted for their productive coarse fisheries. The catchment has considerable conservation interest, especially in the marshes and along the coast. The Rye Bay and High Weald projects led by East Sussex County Council and encouraged by the NRA, raise the profile of countryside management in the catchment.
There is a history of frequent flooding in the lower Rother valley, a problem which was alleviated in the 1970s by RADIS (Rother Area Drainage Improvement Scheme). Management of arterial drainage channels and of defences against flooding from the sea is a function of the NRA; Internal Drainage Boards look after the smaller marshland watercourses, financing their activities by levying charges on local landowners. The Royal Military Canal, which borders the landward side of Romney Marsh, is a key component of the drainage system. The Canal is used in winter as a high-level drain discharging to the sea by gravity when the tide permits; in summer it is used as a reservoir of fresh water to maintain ditch levels in the marshes for wet fencing, stock watering and crop irrigation. In dry summers there may be insufficient water for this purpose and problems with the distribution system prevent some areas receiving their share, although the NRA has improved the ditch system in recent years.
------The Port of-Rye-is owned and-managed by the NRA,-mainly on-account-of the significance of the Rother estuary for flood defence. The Harbour provides moorings for fishing vessels and pleasure craft, and caters for some 200 medium sized cargo vessels which use the two private wharves each year. Policies for the management of the Port were published as the Harbour of Rye Management Plan (1994), simultaneously with the Catchment Management Consultation Report. Enquiries about boating and canoeing on inland waters in the Rother catchment should be addressed to the NRA Kent Area Office. River Rother Catchment Management Plan
D. INTERACTION WITH DEVELOPMENT PLANS
As a statutory consultee for Local Authority development plans and for individual development proposals the NRA has the following objectives:-
* To protect surface, groundwater and coastal waters from pollution arising from development.
* To ensure that development does not result in over-exploitation of water resources.
* To ensure that the risk of fluvial or tidal flooding is not significantly increased by development and that proposed developments are not themselves at risk from flooding.
* To minimise the adverse effects of development on the water environment, particularly with regard to fisheries, wildlife conservation, landscape and historic sites, and to maximise the potential environmental benefits which development may offer.
Details of NRA planning policies are given in "Guidance Notes for Local Planning Authorities on the Methods of Protecting the Water Environment through Development Plans".
The Rye Bay Countryside Project Management Plan (East Sussex County Council) and Shoreline Management Plans (East Sussex and Kent County Councils) are relevant to this Catchment.
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E. CATCHMENT STATISTICS __ __
E.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Catchment area 97,083 Ha (970.83 km2)
Topography
Maximum Level 197 m AOD Minimum Level 0 m AOD
Geology
Hastings Beds and Weald Clay, with Recent deposits in the marsh areas. The south eastern corner of the Plan area impinges onto the Chalk.
Estimated Catchment Population
Year Population Change per decade 1991 170,300 2001 188,000 +10.4%
Districts and Estimated Population (1991)
District ______—Persons Ha in % area of Population in per km 2 catchment catchment catchment
Sussex County Council 48,900 50.4% 80,900
Hastings 520 500 0.5% 2,600 Rother 160 40,600 41.8% 65,700 Wealden 160 7,800 8.1% 12,600
Kent County Council 48,160 49.6% 89,400
Ashford 110 19,100 19.6% 20,900 Shepway 210 22,300 23.0% 47,500 Tun.Wells 310 6,800 7.0% 21,000
Note: The population figures are approximate and portray overall trends rather than precise values.
Page River Rother Catchment Management Plan
L 2 WATER RESOURCES
Resource Areas
N um ber H a in % area of catchm ent catchm ent
Romney Marsh 15 20,670 21.3% Lower Rocher 16 55,880 57.6% Upper Rother 17 20,530 21. 1%
Rainfall (mm)
1:10 yr M ean Y ear D rought
Mean Annual Toral 754 596 Effective Rainfall 246 133
Abstraction
Licensed Abstraction 210 Ml/day Actual Abstraction (1989) 77 Ml/day Actual as % of Licensed 37%
Licensed abstraction from groundwater 46 Ml/day Percentage from groundwater 22% Percentage in High/Med Loss category 4l%
River Flow (cumecs)
R.Rother
Mean Flow (Q50) 0.90 95 percentile Flow (Q95) 0.21
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Water Supply Companies serving the catchment
Area (Ha) % Catchment
SEW (Eastbourne) 28,000 28.8% SEW (Mid Sussex) 5,900 6.1% SWS (Sussex) 13,700 14.1% Mid Kent Water Pic 36,300 37.4% Folkestone & Dover 13,200 13.6%
Water Supply Reservoirs
Reliable Area (Ha) Vol (Ml) yield (Mid)
Darwell (SWS) 73 4,728 21.9 Powdermill (SWS) 21 856 2.1
E.3 WATER QUALITY
Length of River in each Quality Class (km)
Class Description T arget Achieved 1990
1A Good 40.6 28.7 IB Good 120.3 143.8 2 Fair 44.7 28.9 3 Poor 1.0 3.6 4 Bad ___ ---— 0;0— — — — — '176
TOTAL 206.6 206.6
Length Designated under the EC Freshwater Fisheries Directive (km)
Freshwater Tidal
Cyprinid Designation 27.9 10.0 Salmonid Designation 3.5 0.0
•Page 9 River Rot her Catchment Management Plan
Sewage Discharges
Consented N u m b er Vol.(Ml/day)
To rivers 82 13.76 To estuary 1 1.18 To sea 1 2.70
L4 FLOOD DEFENCE
Length of Main River (km) 324.0 (includes tidal lengths)
Length of Coastline (km)
Schedule 4 55.2 Main Tidal Waters 55.2 (included in Schedule 4) Sea Defences (NRA) 40.0 Tidal Banks (NRA) 10.8
Internal Drainage Districts (Ha)
Romney Marsh Levels 10,451 Denge and Southbrooks 3,021 Pett 3,403 Rother 6,597 W alland 8,923
E.5 CONSERVATION
Number of Designated Sites in the Catchment
Type Total Water D ependent
Ramsar/Special Protection Area 1 1 (Dungeness-Pett Levels) National Nature Reserves 1 1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 21 18 River Rother Catchment Management Plan
E.6 NAVIGATION
Harbour of Rye (NRA). Commercial and pleasure craft.
Rother Estuary & Rye Harbour (NRA) 7.0 km Rother, Scots Float - Bodiam (NRA) 20.0 km Royal Military Canal (NRA) 23.8 km (Shepway District Council) 7.3 km
TOTAL 58.1 km N A
RIVER ROTHER CATCHMENT AREA RIVER ROTHER TOWNS ISSUES IDENTIFIED (3 ) RADIS - MAINTENANCE FOR FLOOD DEFENCE (14) ECOLOGICALLY POOR, LACKING DIVERSE HABITAT (4) NEW CUT SEA OUTFALL IN POOR CONDITION. REPLACE GLENFIELD GATE. (12) CONTROL STRUCTURE FOR WEST HYTHE DAM
ROUTES FOR MARSH FEEDING SUPPLY LOCATION OF MINE DISCHARGES CAUSING WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS TO DOWNSTREAM REACHES EXCESSIVE WEED GROWTH ON THE ROYAL MILITARY CANAL CAUSING WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 km MARSH AREAS WITH POTENTIAL 11 CONFLICT OVER CONTROL OF o WATER LEVELS VULNERABLE TO SALINE CATCHMENT ISSUES 16 o CONTAMINATION River Rotber Catchment Management Plan
F. CATCHMENT ISSUES ______
1. The impermeable geology of the Rother catchment results in much of the rainfall draining rapidly to the sea, creating winter floods and naturally low summer flows. Subject to environmental safeguards, there is potential for additional water storage in the catchment to augment river flows in summer and to contribute to meeting the projected short-fall of water for public supply in Kent and East Sussex.
2. The groundwater resources of the catchment are limited, occurring in small, isolated aquifers, and need careful management.
3. Flood defence in the lower catchment and much of Walland Marsh depends on the RADIS scheme, which is approaching thirty years of age and is costly to maintain. Much of the mechanical plant is due for replacement, significant capital expenditure is needed to ensure the continued effectiveness of the scheme.
A. The New Cut sea outfall for the Royal Military Canal near Hythe is in poor condition and Glenfield Gate, which controls flows down this channel, needs to be replaced. Failure of the outfall could result in extensive flooding in Romney Marsh.
5. Seasonal shortages of water in the river and inefficiencies within the marsh-feeding distribution system make it difficult to provide sufficient water for the marshes during dry summers.
6. Farming activities may cause localised water pollution incidents which are exacerbated by the lack of dilution in small streams at times of low flow.
7. Similarly, in dry years, water quality problems may be caused by discharges from the numerous small sewage works which serve a dispersed population.
8. Drainage from the Mountfield and Brightling gypsum mines causes high sulphate concentrations in rivers downstream, creating problems for the public water supply source at Sedlescombe.
9- In warm summers the Royal Military Canal-and'marsh drains are prone to excessive growths of water — -----weeds"wHich choke drainage channels and eventually rot, causing flood defence and water quality problems.
10. The control of water weeds to maintain the flow capacity of drainage channels is a major problem, with implications for water quality, fisheries, conservation, navigation and amenity interests. Mechanical cutting entails the removal of cut weeds and the benefits are short-lived; the use of herbicides may result in deoxygenation of the water and is restricted on conservation grounds, as much of the area is designated as a SSSI.
11. In the management of water levels on the marshes a balance is required between the interests of conservation, fisheries and agriculture, and between those of pastoral and arable farming.
12. The eastern end of the Royal Military Canal is isolated from the rest of the system by the dam at West Hythe and discharges direct to the sea at Seabrook. A control structure at West Hythe would enable this water to be managed as part of the Rother resource, making it available for marsh feeding when required.
Page 13 River Rotber Catchment Management Plan
13. Fluctuating levels and high velocities following the operation of sluices impact on fisheries and conservation interests.
14. The uniform profile of the RADIS drainage channels lacks habitat diversity, making them ecologically poor with a sparse flora and fauna.
15. Cultivation of fields to the very edge of drainage ditches may result in soil erosion, bank slips, river siltation, eutrophication of surface waters, loss of wildlife habitat, impoverishment of the landscape and access problems for channel maintenance.
16. The Denge Gravel water resource is vulnerable to saline contamination if over-abstracted, or if sea water penetrates the inland ditch system. Its yield could be reduced if gravel winning expanded in the area.
17. There is a need for close control of development in flood risk areas such as river and coastal flood plains.
18. Rising sea levels and the effects of climate change must be taken into account in future planning.
19. (NEW ISSUE identified by consultees). The valleys of the Brede, Tillingham and Panel Sewer have high conservation value which should be recognised by formal designation.
Abbreviations
The following are used in the Management Proposals and Action Programme sections of this report and refer to those bodies that are relevant to the particular proposals.
CC Countryside Commission DC District Council EN English Nature IDB Internal Drainage Board LA Local Authority MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food NRA National Rivers Authority RADIS Rother Area Drainage Improvement Scheme River Rother Catchment Management Plan
G. MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Control leakage from the water supply system. (Water Companies)
Educate the public in the wise use of water. (Water Companies, NRA)
Allocate available resources between new applicants in accordance with NRA Kent Resources Policy. (NRA)
Investigate the feasibility of importing water from the Medway into the Rother Catchment. (NRA, SWS)
Investigate additional surface water storage options. (NRA, Water Companies)
ISSUE 2 ■ / ’V There is a need to: conserve groundwater resources
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Investigate the potential for developing the groundwater for local supply. (NRA, Abstractors)
License new groundwater abstractions in accordance with the NRA Kent Resources Policy. (NRA)
■ issue3 Rother Areo Hood scheme plant andstructuresin need o f overhaul
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
* Survey RADIS plant and structures to produce an asset management plan. (NRA)
* Implement asset management plan. (NRA)
... ISSUE 4 V. • ' Outfall structures on the Royol Mffitary Cana! fn need of attention
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Replace and automate Gienfield Gate at West Hythe. (NRA)
Reconstruct the New Cut outfall and tidal gate. (NRA)
Page 15 River Rother Catchment Management Plan
ISSUE 5 Insufficient water in dry summers lor marsh feeding
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Review marsh feeding system and co-ordinate its management. (NRA, IDB, Landowners)
Allocate management costs of marsh feeding system between beneficiaries. (NRA, IDB, Landowners)
ISSUES 6 4 7 Pollution incidents affect small streams at times of lew flaw
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Encourage the public to report pollution incidents promptly. (NRA)
Maintain the capability to respond to pollution incidents. (NRA)
Inspect farms and advise on best practice to avoid pollution. (NRA, Farmers)
Ensure that effluents comply with consent conditions. (NRA, Dischargers)
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Negotiate improvements and determine deemed discharge consent. (NRA, Mine Owners)
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Encourage farmers to use fertiliser in a way which minimises losses to the aquatic environment. (NRA, Farmers)
Promote the use of a buffer strip between cultivated land and watercourses to attenuate nutrient runoff. (NRA, MAFF, CC, EN, Fanners, Landowners)
Page 16 River Rother Catchment Management Plan
__ ...... -•...... 1 1 ...... ,..... 1 __i:.::: •: - - •• - >}.;> ISSUE 10 v; ...... :.- - v =■ = ■ ■ The controi of water weeds m dfaljrage channei$ is increasingly expensive -
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
* Investigate alternative methods of control. (EN, NRA, MAFF)
* Liaise with English Nature to establish where herbicides may be used. (NRA, EN)
* Encourage farmers to use fertilisers in a way which minimises losses to the aquatic environment. (NRA, Formers)
ISSUE 11 The control of water levels for agricultural purposes conflicts witli fherequirements of other water osers ;
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
* Improve consultation procedures and communication between interest groups. (NRA, Formers, EN, Anglers)
* Compile water level management plans for sensitive areas. (MAFF, NRA, IDB, Landowners, EN, CC)
...... ISSUE 12 - West Hythe Dam prevents the Royal MiHtary Canal being managed as a single water resoorce
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
* Install a control structure in the dam to enable water to be transferred between sections. (NRA, Shepway-DC) ------— ------— ------— - — — - -
* Agree to divert excess water westwards from the Hythe section to contribute to marsh feeding. (NRA, Shepway DC)
...... „.,v ; . ■ ■ ISSUE 13 ..j-;. ' ■ i:... Rapid fluctuations Iniwater levels interfere with fisheries /.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
* Establish guidelines for the sensitive operation of sluices. (NRA, IDB)
* Improve liaison between the interests involved. (NRA, IDB, Landowners, Anglers)
Page 17 River Rother Catchment Management Plan
ISSUE 14 Lack of ecologkal diversity in RADIS channels
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Incorporate conservation features in new river engineering works. (NRAr IDB)
Investigate the feasibility of remedial works for existing channels. (NRA, IDB)
ISSUE J5 Cultivation dose to the channel's edge causes bank erosion and the excessive input of nutrients to watercourses
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Discourage the use of fertilisers or agricultural chemicals close to watercourses. (NRA, EN, Farmers)
Promote the use of a buffer strip between cultivated land and watercourses. (NRA, EN, CC, Farmers)
Encourage the application of land-use grant schemes to protect and enhance aquatic and wetland habitats. (MAFF, CC, EN, Farmers)
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Monitor surface and groundwater quality in the sensitive area. (NRA, Water Company)
Ensure that the abstraction regime does not result in sea water being drawn into the aquifer. (Water Company, NRA)
Maintain sea defences and outfall structures to control salt water incursion into the freshwater system. (NRA, IDB)
Oppose the development of gravel winning at Dungeness beyond what has already been authorised. (NRA, Planning Authority)
Liaise with the W ater Company and English Nature when sea defence works are proposed. (NRAr Water Company, EN)
Page 18 River Rother Catchment Management Plan
Table 1. ORGANISATIONS WHICH RESPONDED TO THE CONSULTATION REPORT
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) East Sussex County Council __ Kent.County-Council — - — - - " — Ashford Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Rother District Council Rotherfield Parish Council Lydd Town Council English Nature Folkestone and Dover Water Services Ltd Mid Kent Water pic South East Water Ltd Southern Water Services Ltd Institution of Civil Engineers National Trust Kent Trust for Nature Conservation Sussex Wildlife Trust National Association of Boat Owners
Page 19 River Rother Catchment Management Plan Estd £k 1,325 1000 50 440 Action by Water Companies,NRA Water Companies NRA SWS, NRA WaterA, NR Companies NRA,Water Companies NRA NRA NRA NRA NRA Future — 95 96 97 98 99 — Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Management Task Issue Issue 1. Seasonal shortages of water for Public Supply Issue Issue 2. There is a need to conserve croundwater resources Investigate the potential for developing groundwater for local supply. Educate public in the wise use of water. Allocate the available water resource between new applicants in Rother Catchment. Investigate additional surface water storage options. Kent Resources Policy. Issue Issue 3. Rother Area flood scheme olant and structures in need of H. PROGRAMME ACTION Conrrol leakage from the supply system. Investigate the feasibility of importing water from the Medway into the Issue Issue 4. Outfall structures on Roval Military Canal in need ofattention License License new groundwater abstractions within the terms of the NRA accordance with the NRA Kent Resources Policy. Survey Survey RADIS plant and structures to produceplan. an asset management Implement asset management plan. Reconstruct New Cut outrall and tidal gates. overhaul Replace and automate gate at West Hythe.
Page 20 River Rother Catchment Management Plan i i I i 1 i i i 1 1 i I i i 1 j | i I I l i l 1 i i i i | I i i i Estd £k 10 10 pa 1 100 1 50 pa Action by NRA, Mineowners NRA NRA NRA, Farmers NRA,EN,CC,MAFF, Landowners NRA,IDB,Landowners .Landowners NRA,IDB NRA, Farmers NRA, Dischargers m m m ^ m 95 96 97 98 99 Future Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity I 1 1 1 i , , i Management Task ! . . ; ACTION PROGRAMME (coifd). PROGRAMME ACTION Issue Issue 9. weed Excessive growth blocks drainage channels and affects Encourage farmers to use fertiliser in a way in to which the environment. minimises losses Promote the use of a buffer strip between cultivated and lanld < Maintain the capability to make an appropriate response to pollution water quality. 1 Issue Issue 5. Insufficient water in summer for marsh feeding Review Review marsh feeding system and co-ordinate its management. Inspect farms and advise farmers on best practice to minimise Ensure that effluents comply with consent conditions. 1 Issue Issue 8. Drainage from gypsum sulphate mines contaminates streams with deemed consent. 1 Issues Issues 6 & 7. Pollution incidents affect smalllow streams when flows are I reports. ! Encourage the public to report pollution incidents promptly to the watercourses to attenuate nutrient runoff. ( Allocate costs of managing marsh feeding system between pollution risks. Negotiate improvements to the drainage system and determine the beneficiaries. I n r a
Page 21 River Rother Catchment Management Plan Estd £k 50 Action by NRA,EN,MAFF NRA,EN NRA,Landowners MAFF,NRA,IDB,Landowners, EN,CC NRA,Farmers,EN,Anglers NRA,Shepway DC NRA,Shepway DC NRA,IDB owners A,IDB,Land R N ------95 96 97 98 99 Future Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Management Task
ACTION PROGRAMME (coif'd). PROGRAMME ACTION
Issue Issue 10. The control of weeds in drainage channels is increasingly expensive Investigate alternative methods of weed control. Issue Issue 12. West Hvthe Dam prevents the RMC being manaued nature conservation and other water uses Issue Issue 11. The control of water levels in marsh drains for Liaise Liaise with English Nature to establish used. where herbicides may be Improve consultation between interest groups. agricultural purposes conflicts with the requirements of anglers, Encourage farmers to use fertiliser wisely and watercourses. to avoid losses to Issue Issue 13. Rapid fluctuations in water levels interfere with Install a control structure in West be transferred Hythe between Dam sections. to enable water Agree to to divert water excess westwards from the meet Hythe the demand section to for marsh-feeding. Improve liaison between the interests involved. Compile water level management plans for sensitive areas. as a single water resource fisheries Establish guidelines for the sensitive operation structures. of water control Page 22 7 River Rother Catchment Management Plan 1 NRA, IDB NRA, IDB NRA.EN,Farmers NRA,EN,CC,MAFF,Farmers NRA,Water Company NRA,Water Company NRA,IDBNRA, Planning Authority 900 NRA, EN,CC, MAFF, Farmers MAFF, NRA,EN,CC, NRA,Water Company,MAFF m 95 95 96 97 98 99 Future Action by Estil £k As As schemes are built Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity Continuing activity i sea sea water ! ! 1 i 1 1 I Management Task 1 ACTION PROGRAMME (coif'd). PROGRAMME ACTION Issue Issue 14. Main drainage channels lack ecological!diversity ’ the incursion of seawater into the freshwater system Ensure that the abstraction regime does not result in Liaise with Water Company and English Nature when sea Monitor the quality of surface and groundwater in the sensitive Issue Issue 16. Denge Beach aquifer prone to contamination with sea Incorporate conservation features in new river engineering works. Investigate the feasibility of remedial works for existing channels. Issue 15, Cultivation to the channel’s edge causes bank erosion Discourage the use of fertilisers close to watercourses Promote the use of a buffer strip of uncultivated land beside Encourage the use land-use grant schemes to protect and enhance Oppose the development ofgravel winning at Dungeness beyond area. area. being drawn into the aquifer. Maintain sea defences and drainage outfall structure's to controlwhat has already been Continuing authorised. activity defence works are proposed. 1 > j water j and the excessive input of nutrients to watercourses watercourses. wetland habitats. .
Page 23 ACTION PROGRAMME (con'd).
Management Task 95 96 97 98 99 Future A ction by Estd £k
Issue 17. Development in flood plains increases flood risks
Promote good liaison between NRA and planning authorities to Continuing activity NRA,Planning Authorites
ensure that unsuitable development does not occur. Plan Management Catchment Rother River
Issue 18. Rising sea levels will affect coastal and low-lving land
Take account of post-glacial subsidence and the possible effects of climate change in land use planning, flood defence and Continuing activity All (NRA cost quoted) 11,000 environmental management policies.
Issue 19. The Brede. Tillingham and Panel Sewer Valievs have high conservation interest which should be protected
Consider designation of suitable areas. Continuing activity EN,County Council, Wildlife Trust TELEPHONE THE EMERGENCY HOTLINE TO REPORT ALL ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENTS, SUCH AS POLLUTION, POACHING AND FLOODING, OR ANY SIG N S OF DAMAGE OR DANGER TO OUR RIVERS, LAKES AND COASTAL WATERS. YOUR PROMPT ACTION WILL HELP THE NRA TO PROTECT WATER, WILDLIFE, PEOPLE AND PROPERTY.
NRA EMERGENCY HOTLINE
24 HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LINE
NRA National Rivers Authority Southern Region
Regional Office
Southern Region Guildbourne House, Chatsworth Road Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1LD Tel: (01903) 820692 Fax: (01903) 821832
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